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In other Pirates news: PNC Park threatens to leave Pittsburgh unless better team is built.

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/50814

Either the Post-Gazette or the Pirates, or both, appear to be of the mistaken belief that the Pirates' rotation is "set."

Over/under on the Pirates' rotation becoming "unset": May 13, 2008?

My 6-year old son's Little League draft is next month...perhaps the Pirates can pick up a middle reliever off their waiver list?

Despite all the critics...I really dont think the Pirates SP is their problem....they actually have some good young talent....They just need some run support.

Ian Snell is a good example/barometer of their staff--heres a guy who posted great numbers last year, but b/c he was on a terrible hitting team, he lacked run support, and ended up with a losing record---eventually that took a toll on his motivation.

Maholm, Gorzelanny, and Duke each have showed sparkles of above mediocre stuff, much like Oliver Perez did before leaving the Pirates. Adding Matt Morris gives them a much needed veteran experience & a guy who knows how to succeed even when put on a weak hitting team.

This rotation really could probably compete for a top spot in the NL Central if they had any kind of hitting behind them...(though their bullpen needs lots of mending.)

Why Pitt why?

I agree LTTNA, the pitching staff looks pretty good, it's everything else that looks bad.

the real question is: Can this team win more than 80 games? The answer (unless they get really lucky) is most likely NO!

Now if you could merge their pitching with Cincinnati's hitting (plus Harang), you might have a contender.

Be still my heart.

Not exactly the '71 Orioles, but that five is better than the Yankees and costs a whole lot less.

Get a third baseman, centerfielder/leadoff hitter, and bullpen help, and the Bucs will have something to work on.

this is exactly why we we need some contraction in all the leagues. A bunch of teams just stink every year. You could combine the royals, pirates and Rays and they'd still suck.

Same with the NFL. combine the dolphins, falcons, jets and you might go 8-8.